Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade celebrates the harvest, new year, and the Sikh holy day

One of the largest Vaisakhi celebrations outside of India happens in South Vancouver tomorrow.

Vaisakhi refers to the harvest season in Punjab, India, which is a time when some of the most delicious foods come to fruition – making it Punjab’s thanksgiving. It also marks the first day of the first solar month on the Punjabi calendar, so is also considered the new year.

Finally, for more than 300 years it has been honoured as the day when the Khalsa was created, and the most important holy day for Sikhs.

All walks of life welcome

Featuring parade floats, performances, live music and an abundance of food offered along the parade route, people of all races and cultures are welcome to attend the annual celebration of Sikh culture and religion

The parade, expected to draw upwards of 100,000 people, winds it’s way from the Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara (Temple) on Ross Street, along Marine Drive, up Main Street through Vancouver’s Punjabi Market to 49th Avenue, then back to the temple via Fraser Street and 57th Avenue.

What makes the parade and celebration so unique is the free vegetarian food and drink that are given out by local residents and businesses as tribute for the harvest.

When: Saturday, April 16th

Where: The parade begins at the Ross Street Temple at 8000 Ross Street